Can and bottle vendor

ABSTRACT

Article storage and dispensing means for a coin-operated automatic vending machine in which vertical gravity feed magazines have adjustable interior compartments to accommodate a plurality of cylindrical articles, such as cans or bottles, of varying diameters and lengths and a motorized cyclically operated dispensing mechanism associated with each magazine for receiving one or more articles therefrom, holding the same in escrow until delivery, one at a time, to the customer.

D United States Patent 1 [111 3,883,038 Bookout May 13, 19.75

[5 CAN AND BOTTLE VENDOR 3,796,345 3/1974 Fessler 22l/67 9 3 i974 B d l[75] inventor: Floyd V. Bookout, Long Grove, Ill. a 6 2221/67 [73]Assignee: Rock-Ola Manufacturing Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves rp r hcago, Ill. Assistant E.\'aminer-H. Grant Skaggs [22] Filed: No 12 973Agent, or Firm-McCaleb, Lucas &

[21] Appl. No.: 414,752

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 221/67; 221/112; 22221102243? Articlestorage and dispensing means for a coin 51 I t Cl B65 59/00 operatedautomatic vending machine in which vertical 112 gravity feed magazineshave adjustable interior com- 1 T 131 partments to accommodate aplurality of cylindrical 5 articles, such as cans or bottles, of varyingdiameters and lengths and a motorized cyclically operated dispensingmechanism associated with each magazine for [56] References C'tedreceiving one or more articles therefrom holding the UNITED STATESPATENTS same in escrow until delivery, one at a time, to the 3,107,81210/1963 Payne et al. 221/67 customer. 3,145,066 8/1964 ONeai 221/242 03,203,588 8/1965 ONeal 221 114 12 Clams, 21 Drawlng Figures 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 ri 28 Z v26 EATEWED W l 3 SHEET 1 BF 8 FIG.2

EAR DOWN IF LEFT BAR DOWN PATENTED W1 3 191a SHEET 2 0F 8 mEwTEn MAY 1 3W5 SHEET 3 BF 8 PATENTED HAY 1 319. 5

SHEET BF 8 mama W I m 1883 FIG. l4

(I84 2s my. I: ll k I83 /|7O PATENTEB W l 9 5 SBEU .8 BF 8 CAN ANDBOTTLE VENDOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general this inventionrelates to dispensing of cylindrical articles in an automatic coincontrolled vending machine and is particularly adapted to dispensing ofcanned and bottled articles or commodities.

While the automatic vending of cylindrical commodities has been carriedout for some time in the art, in general past known mechanisms have beendesigned primarily to dispense articles of more or less uniform diameterand length. In addition, it has been the general practice to designvending machines to dispense either canned commodities or bottledcommodities and very little attempt has been made to accommodate bothtypes of articles in the same vending machine. In those instances wherean attempt has been made to accommodate variations in diameter or lengthof the articles, the same have been addressed to either diameterproblems, as related to cans, or length problems, as related to bottles.In the current market, a variety of canned commodities are beingdispensed by automatic vending equipment. Depending on the contents ofcans, the same may vary in diameter approximately three-quarters of aninch, and in length approximately one-half inch. As for articlesmerchandised in bottles, it has been found that the length of thebottles may vary approximately 5 inches and the diameters thereof,approximately three-quarters of an inch. Because of these sizevariations, it has become desirable to present means for accommodating arather wide range of diameter and length dimensions for the canned andbottled commodities, without the necessity of designing specificmagazines and dispensing mechanisms for handling each size and diameterencountered. It also has become desirable to provide a vending machinein which both canned and bottled commodities may be stored and dispensedinterchangeably.

In considering the foregoing problem of providing a more or lessuniversal vending machine for cylindrical articles, particularly cansand bottles, it is readily apparent that if one and the same magazine isto be designed for accommodating either cans or bottles as selected,such must include a certain degree of adjustability. A similarobservation is true with respect to the mechanism for dispensing thearticles from the storage magazines.

Adjustable compartmentalizing means have been suggested in the past, asfor example, in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,145,066 issued Aug. 18, 1964, whichteaches the features of an adjustable storage compartment to accommodatecylindrical articles of differing diameters. However, the teachings ofthat patent are relatively complicated and require numerous adjustmentsto achieve changes in compartment size.

Considering the dispensing mechanism to be employed with both cans andbottles, the problem becomes even more complex inasmuch as previouslysuch items have not been interchangeably handled by the same dispensingmechanism unless articles either in cans or bottles were ofsubstantially identical size. There have been some exceptions to thisobservation in the accommodation of cylindrical articles of varyinglength, particularly in bottle vending. However, past efforts toaccommodate different diameter articles have usually produced limitedsuccess, principally because of jamming of the dispensing mechanism whenattempting to accommodate any sizable diameter range, unless thedispensing mechanism is made adjustable to the particular diameter ofthe article being controlled thereby.

One of the more successful dispensing devices for bottle vending, forinstance, is taught in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 3,146,907 issued Sept. 1,1964 or a modified version thereof set out in U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,588 issued Aug. 31, 1965. Within limits both of the mechanisms taught in thesetwo patents are capable of accommodating a small range of diametervariation in the articles being handled. However, in each instanceserious drawbacks were encountered when attempting to vend articlesvarying in diameter as much as one-half inch for example, because of theinability of such mechanisms to deplete a full magazine or, that is, todispense all the articles from a magazine. This is especially true ofthe last two or three articles in the magazine. The mechanism of U.S.Pat. No. 3,203,588, for instance, has a marked tendency to accept morethan one article through the upper vending gates, as therein taught, andtherefore jams when the supply of stacked articles is nearly depletedor, that is, the stack contains only one or two articles.

The present invention is directed to a solution of the above indicateddifficulty of accommodating the vending of cans and/or bottles whichvary both in length and diameter by one and the same magazine anddispensing mechanism.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In brief, the present invention isdirected to an improved magazine and dispensing mechanism adapted todispense cans and/or bottles varying in diameter and length and isspecifically directed to improvements in the type of dispensingmechanism taught in the afore noted U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,146,907 and3,203,588 whereby vertically stored cylindrical articles may bedispensed one by one in an accurate and positive manner without jammingthe dispensing mechanism, particularly in the dispensing of the last oneor two articles of the stacked commodities.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an improvedstorage magazine and dispensing means for vending cans and bottleshaving variations in diameter and in length.

It is another important object of this invention to provide an improveddispensing mechanism, particularly capable of receiving different sizedcylindrical articles from an overdisposed storage magazine and releasingthe same one by one without malfunctioning.

Another important object of this invention is to provide improvedmagazine for use in automatic vending machines and which is adapted toselectively accommodate both cylindrical cans and bottles.

A still further important object of this invention is to provide animproved storage and dispensing mechanism for cylindrical articles whichis especially adapted for automatic vending machines and is economicalin manufacture and maintenance, and exhibits improved operationalquality.

Having thus described the present invention, the 7 above and furtherobjects, features and advantages thereof will be apparent to thosefamiliar with this art from the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawingsso as to enable those familiar with the art to understand and practicethis invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of acombination can and bottle vendor according to this invention showingthe arrangement of multiple storage magazines therein;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view schematically demonstrating thefeatures of one magazine;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating theadaptation of a magazine for multiple stack vending;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective showing similar to FIG. 2 illustratingthe adaptation of the magazine to single stack vending;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the loading pattern employedin the magazine of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of mechanical rear guide assemblyemployed in establishing the length of the magazines interiorcompartments;

FIG. 7 is another front elevational view of the assembly shown in FIG. 6and illustrating its latching condition;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the operating and vending gateelements of the dispensing mechanisms with parts arranged in schematicperspective to facilitate illustration;

FIG. 9 is a foreshortened elevational view of the lower vending gatesystem employed in the mechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view thereof;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view in side elevation for demonstrating thedriving connection between the lower vending gate and operating meansassociated there with;

FIG. 12 is an end elevational view looking substantially from vantageline 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view with parts in elevation takensubstantially from vantage line 13-13 of FIG. 11 and looking in thedirection of the arrows thereon;

FIG. 14 is a partial elevational view of a drive motor unit foractuating the mechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the cam and drive gear means driven by themotor unit of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of the drive gear and cam means of FIG.15 as viewed substantially from vantage line 16-16 of that Figure;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic showing in side elevation of a sold out leverand switch means associated with the drive means of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic showing in end elevation of the upper andlower vend gates in loading position;

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view, similar to FIG. 18, illustrating asecond loading position of the upper and lower vend gates;

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic showing of the vend gate mechanism illustratedin FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrating the escrow and discharge positions oflower vend gate operation; and

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic illustration of the vend gates showing theoperating positions thereof during discharge of a commodity from escrowposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the details ofthe present invention in the exemplary embodiment illustrated, FIG. 1shows a typical vending machine 25 for accommodating can, bottle orsimilar cylindrical article vending. As illustrated, such comprises acabinet 26 having a hollow interior for accommodating a plurality ofvertical storage magazine means 27 from which cylindrical articles arereleased by vending mechanisms driven by individual motor units 28 fordelivery to a discharge chute 29 available to the customer via dooropenings 30 in a front closing door 31 of the cabinet 26. It will berecognized that each of the plurality of magazine means 27 accommodatesa staggered or serpentine stack 32 of cylindrical items as indicatedgenerally in FIG. 1. Selector means, not shown, are provided on thefront face of the door panel 31, accessible to the customer for anoperation of the coin controlled vending mechanisms, and which maycomprise, for example, a selector system of the order set out in myprior US. Pat. No. 3,628,643 issued Dec. 21, 1971. It will be understoodby those familiar with the art that a vending machine of the orderindicated is adapted for dispensing of items in response to customerdeposit of a predetermined coin value. In the particular caseillustrated, a can orbottle vending machine is indicated and itsoperation is designed to dispense one canned or bottled commodity perpredetermined coin deposit upon customer selection.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2, the features of magazine means 27are there set forth. As shown, each magazine comprises a vertical orupright cubical having a back wall 40, opposed by a pair of guide rails41, 41 at open front wall therefor, a top wall 42 and parallel sidewalls 43 and 44, all interjoined to provide a rigid enclosure. Eachmagazine is supported in the cabinet 26 on horizontal front and backsupport structures or walls 45 and 46, respectively; the formersupporting individual motor drive units 28, one associated with each ofthe magazine means 27.

Internally the magazine means 27 support pair of elongated side guiderails 47, one being shown in FIG. 2, and selectively located in aplurality of slotted openings 48 and 49 formed through the two sidewalls 43 and 44 in registering opposition; each of the side guide railshaving hooks which project through selected pairs of the slottedopenings 48, 49. A spring latch device 50 is provided at the upper endthereof to engage with an elongated slotted opening 51, removablylocking the rails in position. A rear guide assembly 52 is also providedand such is adjustably movable front to back within the magazinecompartment to regulate the length of the internal compartmentationthereof, as will appear presently. Detailed construction of guide 52will be described hereinafter in association with FIGS. 6 and 7 of thedrawings. For the present, suffice it to say that the guide 52 may belocated in any one ofa plurality of selected positions within thecompartment by virtue of a plurality of latch openings 53 formed in themagazine top wall 42 and bottom latch openings 54 formed in the two sidewalls 43 and 44 in registering opposition as schematically indicated inFIG. 2. A column divider or separator plate 55 is associated with thetwo side guides 47 for the purpose of positively separating the internalspace of the magazine at the vending mechanisms into two verticalcompartments for vending multiple stacked articles in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 3. In that respect the column divider 55 insertablyinterfits with slotted lower ends of the side guides 47 in operation andis formed in a fashion to interfit with or embrace upper vend gate bars56 and 57 but with suitable clearance to permit their operatingmovements. In a similar manner, the lower end of the rear guide 52 isequipped with a separator plate 58, which serves to define thelongitudinal back limit of the interior compartmentation for themagazine when the same is conditioned for either multiple or singlestack operation, as will appear presently.

It will be understood that by selective positioning of the intermediateguide rails 47 and its bottom guide plate 55 at desired locations,dictated by the latch openings 48, 49 associated therewith, the interiorspace of the magazine compartment may be divided longitudinally intosub-compartments for accommodating different length items such as cannedarticles 60 (see FIG. 3). With this arrangement two columns of cannedarticles may be provided for, with the back column thereof lying betweenthe intermediate guide rails 47 and the back guide assembly 52 which, aswill appear presently, is adapted to be located at desired positionsfrom front to back of the magazine as determined by the locations ofopenings 53 in the top wall 42 and corresponding side openings of 54, 54in the two side walls 43 and 44. While canned goods or articles 60 areillustrated in FIG. 3, it is to be understood that the doublecompartmenting condition is also available for vending short bottles or,that is, bottles having a length approximating that of a canned item,which length obviously cannot exceed more than one-half the front toback dimension of the magazine compartment.

In the event that bottles such as article 61 illustrated in FIG. 4 areto be vended which have a length exceeding double spacing permitted bymedial location of the guide rail 47 (see FIG. 3) then the magazine isadapted to accept a single column of goods, such as bottles, in themanner illustrated in FIG. 4. This is accomplished by repositioning theback guide assembly 52 forwardly of its FIGS. 2 and 3 positions,somewhere intermediate of the front to back dimension of the magazineand in close proximity to the cap end of the bottles, usually withapproximately one-eighth inch clearance. The intermediate guide rails 47are preferably disposed adjacent the necked down portion of the bottlesso as to engage the exterior thereof between the open front wall of themagazine and the rear guide assembly 52 in the manner indicated in FIG.4. With either arrangement, that is, either with a double or singlestacking of articles, the same are vertically arranged in a serpentinefashion in the manner diagrammed in FIG. 5 of the drawings, with thebottommost article numbered 1 in such diagrams resting on the two uppervend gate bars 56 and 57 in the initial loading condition. As noted inthe diagram of FIG. 5, the serpentine coursing of the articles variesdepending on which of the vend gate bars 56 or 57 is in a loweredposition, so as to effect either a left or righthand serpentinealignment.

In order to better understand the workings of the rear guide mechanism52, reference is now made to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings whereindetails of part organization and operation are illustrated. As thereshown, mechanism 52 comprises an elongated metal housing 62 generallyrectangular in cross-sectional configuration and formed by twointermating half shells of generally U-shaped cross-section to enclosean interior elongated slide bar 63 (see FIG. 2). Rivets or the like areutilized for interlocking the two half shells of the housing 62 with theslide bar having an elongated opening 64 intermediate a projecting uppertongue end 65 thereof and a finger opening 66 available to the operatorby suitable voids or openings 67 in the walls of the housing 62. Aspring means 68 extends between the slide bar and an inwardly turnedshoulder 69 formed on one of the shell elements of housing 62, oppositethe upper end of opening 64 in the slide bar. Downward movement of theslide bar within the housing 62 effectively tensions the spring 68 andcauses the latter to resiliently urge the slide bar to move upwardlyupon release to project the tongue portion 65 thereof beyond the upperwall 42 of the magazine housing for entering and engaging one of thelocating slots 53 therein.

Adjacent the lower end of the slide bar is a slotted opening 70 throughwhich extends a connecting pin 71 intertying a pair of scissor lengthlink arms 72 and 73 which pivot thereabout. Arms 72 and 73 areunderengaged, at a shoulder 74 therein, by an outwardly extending fingerportion 75 formed at the lower end of the slide bar 63. The pin means 71extends through the opposing side walls of the housing 62 as well asthrough the upper ends of the two links 72 and 73 whereby the latterpivotally scissor about the pin 71 moving downwardly or toward oneanother when the shoulders 74 thereon are disengaged from the slide barfinger as illustrated in FIG. 6. Conversely, the arms move outwardlyaway from one another, when the slide bar moves upwardly, upon releaseby the operator and returning movement imposed by the spring means 68.In this latter regard it will be understood and recognized that thewalls of the housing 62 are suitably slotted or cut away to permit thepassage outwardly therethrough of the other ends of the arms 72 and 73and more particularly to permit latching finger portions 76 and 77, atthe outer ends thereof, to interengage selected slotted openings 54, 54in the magazines side wall 43 and Mounted beneath the scissor arms 72and 73 above described, and located at the lower or terminal end of thehousing 62 is the rear guide plate 58, which is configured with twoelongated openings 78 and 79 formed angularly inwardly of the oppositelateral edges or margins thereof and immediately above a pair ofdivergent finger portions 80 and 81, symmetrically configured about thecentral axis of plate 58, much in the nature of an inverted Y formation.The slotted openings 78, 79 are adapted to straddle the two upper vendbars 56 and 57 while the finger portions 80 and 81 thereof dependbeneath such bars in the normal operating positioning for the plate 58,as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. This effectivelyinterlocks the guide plate 58 with the vend gate bars 56 and 57 with theslotted opening 78 and 79 serving to guide the assembly 52 during itsadjusting movements from front to back of the magazine compartment.

From the above description of the guide means 52,

it will be readily understood that the same comprises a simple latchingmechanism whereby the finger portion 65 at the upper end thereof and thescissors arm 72 and 73 adjacent the lower end thereof are automaticallyretracted or extended to correspondingly engage aligned sets of slotopenings 53 and 54 to positively lock the guide assembly 52 at desiredpositions from front to back of the magazine.

With the foregoing described arrangement, a suitable system is providedfor conveniently adjusting the column depth in either multiple or singlestack operation of a magazine of the order herein illustrated. If doubledepth column or stack operation is required, such as when vending cannedgoods 60 as illustrated in the FIG. 3, the rear guide means 52 issuitably located adjacent the back wall 40 of the magazine and latchedin position. This is conveniently accomplished by first aligning thebottom latching arms with the appropriate pair of openings 54, 54 andholding the same in upright position at which point the depressed latchbar is released and the spring means 68 causes upward movement thereof,throwing the latch arms 72, 73 laterally outwardly to engage theopenings 54 while simultaneously forcing tongue portion 65 to enter anappropriate opening 53 in the top wall of the magazine. If perchance theupper tongue portion does not immediately enter a slotted opening 53,corresponding to the openings 54 selected, movement of the assembly 52forwardly or rearwardly as necessary will release the tongue portionfrom the inside of wall 42 and automatically permit it to enter theselected opening 53.

Once the rear guide assembly 52 is in position, the column divider plate55 is located in the appropriate set of opposed openings 54, such as theforwardmost set of openings in the walls 43, 44. The side guide rails 47are next positioned over the plate 55 and locked into slots 48 and 49,with the spring latch 50 at the upper end thereof engaging the slottedopenings 51 to properly locate and latch the bars 47 in position. Withthis arrangement the internal compartmentation of the magazine iseffectively divided into two like columns, each of a size or depth toaccommodate the selected length of the canned or bottled commodities, asthe case may be, to be dispensed therefrom.

In the event the cylindrical articles, such as 16 oz.

' bottled beverages, are of a length exceeding one-half the depth of themagazine compartment, the alternate arrangement indicated in FIG. 4 ofthe drawings is resorted to. In carrying out this adjustment, the rails47 and plate 55 are removed and rear guide assembly 52 is movedforwardly from its rearmost position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, toapproximately one-eighth inch away from cap ends of three bottlesstaggered stacked in the bottom of the magazine so as to rest on thevend gate bars 56 and 57 which are positioned with one of the bars downin the manner illustrated in FIG. of the drawings. The upper end of therear guide assembly 52 is then properly positioned by using a bottle asa gauge intermediate the vertical limits of the column or magazineinterior to thus position the upper end of assembly 52. Once the same isaligned with the bottles in the lower end of the compartment and thegauge bottle as described, the latching mechanism thereof is released tolock in appropriate openings in the top and side walls of the magazineas previously described. Thereafter the two side guide rails 47 arepositioned in the manner illustrated in FIG. 3, so as to align incontacting and guiding the relationship with the necks of the bottles.After the sidev rails are aligned they are appropriately latched intoposition in the selected openings 48, 49 to insure their guidingfunction on opposite sides of the bottle stack. It will be understood,of course, that the intermediate column divider plate 55 previouslyremoved is not employed in the single column condition. The single stackoperation can be carried out with either bottles or cans depending onthe lengths of the item involved. In the particular embodimentillustrated and the described perameters, previously indicated,

this would occur in vending articles greater than 5 inches in length.

Depending on the diameter of the articles being vended, the staggered orserpentine stacking thereof will accommodate more or less numbers ofitems, but in any event will accommodate a fairly flexible range ofdiameter sizes due to the spacing of the side walls 43, 44.

Turning now to the features of the improved vending mechanism accordingto this invention, initial reference is made to FIG. 8 of the drawingswhere the same is schematically diagrammed. As there shown, the vendingmechanism indicated generally by numeral comprises an upper vend gateassembly 91, a lower gate assembly 92, and a drive assembly 93 therefor.

Specifically the upper vend gate assembly 91 may be termed as clam shellbecause of its operating activity, as will appear hereinafter, and inessence comprises a pair of elongated cylindrical gate rods 56 and 57each welded at opposite ends to a pair-of generally crescent shapedcrank arms; arms 96 and 97 being affixed to opposite ends of gate rod 56and arms 98 and 99 to opposite ends of gate rod 57. The two rod and armassemblies are internested, 96 being disposed inwardly of arm 98 and arm99 inwardly of arm 97. Adjacent arms 96, 98 and 97, 99 are intertied bya pivot cross link 100 and 101, respectively, which cross links aresuitably offset to maintain the internested relationship between the armand rod pairs. In addition, the centers of pivotal connection betweenlink 100 and the opposing pair of arms 96 and 98 for example, andbetween link 101 and the arm pair 96, 97, indicated at 102, 103, 104 and105 are fixed to the parallel spaced horizontally extending supportingwalls 45 and 46 of the cabinet so as to constitute axes of rotation forthe arm sets 96, 97 and 98,

Rocking activity of the upper vend gate rods 56 and 57 about their pivotcenters is effected by a cam means 1 10 rotatably driven about a centralaxis 111 therefor. Cam is peripherally engaged by follower rollers 1 12,113 respectively affixed to the outer ends of rods 114, 115. It will benoted that rod 114 is located transversely of the outer end of a crankarm 116 pivotally joined by pivot connection 117 to the lower end of arm97, below the latters pivot axis or pin 104. Thus as the roller 1 l2follows the contour of cam means 110, crank arm 1 16 serves to oscillatethe right hand vend gate assembly, comprising arms 96, 97 and rod 56about the rotational axis therefor as defined by the related pivotcenters 104, 105.

In a similar fashion the secondary cam following roller 1 13 associatedwith rod 1 15 causes rotational movements of the cam 110 to oscillate apivotal bell crank comprising links 120 and 121 rotatably on rod andpivotally supported on a fixed pivot center 122.The outer end of link121 in turn is pivotally joined by pin 123 to the lower end of the arm99 associated with the left hand upper vend gate assembly, comprisingrod 57 and arms 98 and 99. Consequently, rod 57 responds in anoscillating arcuate fashion to the cranking activity of the linkassembly 120, 121, in accordance with the movement of the cam means 110and follower 113.

As a result of the foregoing described arrangement, the two vend gaterods 56 and 57 alternately oscillate along arcuate paths toward and awayfrom one another as indicated in FIG. 20, moving to and out of theirrespective positions shown in FIGS. 19 and 18. Due to the shape of thecam means 110 by which such rods 56 and 57 are responsively moved,oscillating activity thereof is in the alternative, that is, one rodmoves arcuately downward and returns to its upward position before theother rod travels. Thus the action is likened to the opening and closingmovements of a clam shell.

In addition to the upper vend gate assembly 91 above described, vendingmechanism 90 includes the lower vend gate assembly 92 which comprises asupport shaft 125 extending horizontally between the support walls orframe members 45, 46 of the vending machine and in spaced parallelism tothe centers of rotation for the rod and arm assemblies of the upper vendgate assembly 91, above described.

Mounted on the shaft 125 are a pair of identical gate members, namelyfront gate 126 and rear gate 127, each of which has a cylindrical hubportion 128 along one inner margin thereof and through which thesupporting shaft 125 extends. The two gates 126 and 127 are rotatablymounted on the shaft 125 and are free to move relative thereto withinlimits. More specifically, each of the gates has a lost motionconnection with shaft 125 and is permitted to rotate partially withrespect thereto, such lost motion connection comprising a collar withsuitable projections for interlocking engagement as will be described ingreater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 9 13. In turn, gate 126 has alost motion connection with gate 127, comprising a projection 130 ongate 127 which is adapted to underengage the front gate 126 for purposeswhich will appear presently.

The forward end of the hub portion 128 for front gate 126 is formed witha collar portion 131 having projecting ears 132 and 133 and comprisingpart of a lost motion connection system between the front gate and anactuator link 134 therefor which is rotatably mounted about shaft 125for movement thereabout; the shaft being receptive in opening 135 inlink 134. On the rearward face of the actuator link 134 (as viewed inFIG. 9) is a projection finger of semi-circular formation indicated at136 (see FIG. 11) which is adapted to interfit between ears 132 and 133projecting from the hub of the front gate 126. So it will be recognizedthat gate 126 is free to move relative to the actuator portion 136depending on the arcuate extent of the projection 136 and itsinterfitting spacing with the abutment projections 132 and 133.

The actuator 134 responds to rotating activity of a double lobe cammember 140 affixed to the supporting axle or shaft 111, common to cam110. Cam 140 moves with cam 1 10, but activates the actuator 134 in adifferent predetermined phase relationship with respect to the activityof the upper vend gates which also respond to rotation of the cam 110.

In addition to actuator 134, shaft 125 is also coupled to a follower arm139 fixed to rotate with the shaft 125 as by interfitting tongueextension on shaft 125 and fastening bolt or screw means 141. Arm 139carries a rotatable cam follower 142 at its outer end for engaging theperiphery of a third cam means 143 also mounted for movement on axle111, common to the cams 140 and 110. In response to the movement ofroller 142 about the periphery of 143, shaft 125 is periodically rotatedor oscillated to raise and lower the two vend gates 126 and 127 incyclical fashion. More specifically, as the roller 142 traverses thelobe 144 of cam 143 in the position thereof shown in FIG. 8, the lowervend gates 126, 127 are held in an article receiving position. As thefollower 142 approaches the cam node portion 145, however, the lowergates 126 and 127 are slightly lowered to an escrow position asindicated in the upper positioning thereof shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, forexample. When roller 142 passes node 145 there is a quick drop of thearm 139 with a partial or limited rotation of the shaft 125, sufficientto release the rear vend gate 127 from its interengaging lost motionconnection with the shaft 125. This activity permits the gravitationallowering or quick dropping of the back gate 127 to a discharge orrelease position as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 8. In this respectit will be understood that the rear gate 127 moves relative to the frontgate 126 which at this stage of the operation is held in its raisedcondition by virtue of interfering engagement between the projection 136on the actuator 134 and the projection 132 associated with the hub ofthe front gate, as previously described. It will be noted that theactuator 134 responds to the configuration of its actuating cam 140 andthis particular circumstance of holding gate 126 occurs in the conditionof actuator 134 as shown in FIG. 8 with the outer end thereof engaging anode 146 of the cam 140, thereby to position projecting finger 136 tolock the front gate in its up position.

Continued rotation of cam 140 gradually lowers the front gate bypermitting clockwise following movement of arm 134 into the indented midsection of cam 140 adjacent node 146, causing front gate 126 to fallinto alignment with the previously lowered gate 127 at which stage bothgates reside in a discharge position, as indicated by the dotted lineshowing for the lower vend gate 126 in FIG. 20, for example. Continuedrotation of cam 143 causes the lost motion connection between shaft andthe rear gate 127 to reengage or pick up the rear gate. By virtue of theunderengaging ledge or portion at the rear gate, the front gate 126 ispicked up by the rear gate to raise the two gates simultaneously as thefollower roller 142 moves onto the lobe surface 144 of cam 143.

It will be noted that during the aforedescribed activity of cam 143, theintermediate cam serves to oscillate the follower 134 in accordance withits peripheral configuration, raising and lowering the latter toposition its projection finger portion 136 toward or away from theprojections 133 and 134 of the front gage. While it is not feltnecessary to describe the exact movements of the follower 134 and itsresponse to the cam 140, suffice it to say that the function of thefollower 134 is to position its finger 136 in an interfering conditionwith the projection 133 on the front gage 126 thereby periodically tohold the same in a raised or escrowed position as previously noted.Thereafter gate 126 is lowered to its discharge position when thefollower 134 enters one of the depressed nodes in the periphery of cam140. Thus activity produces the sequential cycling of the front and reargates 126 and 127 from escrow to discharge positions, first the reargate and then the front gate, as illustrated respectively in FIGS. 20and 21.

importantly, it is to be noted that the cam 143 carries with it twoprojecting pins 150 and 151, one of which is slidably movable relativeto the cam 143 whereas to be alternately or selectively positioned inprojecting or non-projecting positions. The purpose of these two pins isto effect operation of motor control switch 152 having a pivotaldepending actuator 153 (FIG. 14). When either of the pins 150 or 151underengages the actuator 153, it raises the latter to cause adepression of the switch plunger 154 discontinuing further rotation ofthe cam 143 and deactivating a drive motor 155. The provision of thesliding pin 151, for example, is to accommodate either single or doublecolumn vending operation for the magazine. Thus, for example, if twocolumns of canned items are stacked in the magazine 27, pin means 151 isplaced in an extended or projecting position in the manner illustratedin FIG. 8, to interrupt the drive motor and thus the cycling of the cammeans 143, 140 and 110 halfway through a full rotational cycle therefor.Thus, a single can or cylindrical item is delivered via the lower vendgate 127 during the first half cycle of rotation for the cam 143 and asecond can from the front lower vend gate 126 during the second halfcycle of rotation for the cam 143. This obviously permits the doublestack vending operation.

In the event a single column or stack mode is utilized in the magazinemeans 27, such as a single column of bottles for example (see FIG. 4),then the pin means 151 is depressed to a non-interfering position withthe switch actuator arm 153, permitting the full rotational cycle of cam143 and the other related mechanisms per vend selection. In thiscondition both the lower gates 126 and 127 must be in a dischargeposition in order to release a single bottle even though during suchprocedure the rear vend gate 127 gravitationally moves to its dischargeposition first and independently of the front gate 126. It will berecognized that discharge position of the rear gate, however, does noteffect the ultimate discharge of the bottle or elongated article held inthe forward part of the magazine on the front gate 126 for single columnvending operation.

Turning now to more specific details of the lower vend gate system 92,reference is made to FIGS. 9 through 13 of the drawings. As thereillustrated, each of the vend gates 126 and 127, of like construction,comprises a hub portion 128, as previously noted, receptive of the shaft125. An elongated body portion 156 projects from one side of the hubportion preferably having a concave face 157 to retain a cylindricalitem engaged thereby. Face 157 is normally positioned upwardly inoperation in the manner illustrated in FIG. 8. It will be noted that theend of hub portions 128 for the lower vend gates are formed withcut-away slotted portions 160 and 162 to provide a female jaw connectioncooperating with male jaw collars 163 placed over shaft 125 and pinnedthereto as by pin means 164. Diametrically opposed projecting portions165 on the male jaw member are substantially less in arcuate extent thanthe recesses 160 and 162 on the gate hub portions, so as to provide thereferred to lost motion connection therebetween. It is to beparticularly noted that there are four male jaw members 163 provided inthe assembly of the two gates 126 and 127 on shaft 125 indicated at 163,163a, 163!) and 163(- located on the opposite ends of the hub portionsfor the two gate members. A resilient spring means 166 is mounted on theshaft 125 between the jaw member l63c and a washer 167 engaged with therear support wall 46 of the cabinet support system, the shaft 125 beinglocked in place by nut means 168. It is to be noted that portion 130 onthe rear gate member which interengages the front gate member 126 aspreviously explained, is formed in accordance with the configuration ofportion 134 on the 12 front gate 126, as best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and10 of the drawings.

With reference now to composite FIG. 11, it will be noted that theactuator arm 134 which is mounted rotatably on shaft 125, has itsrearward projection finger 136 extending over or past the outer end ofthe hub portion 128 of gate member 126 as to lie interferingly with theprojections 132 and 133 thereon. It is this periodic interengagementbetween the finger 136 and the lugs 132 and 133 that regulates the lostmotion movement of the front gate 126 in response to the activity of theactuator 134 and its cam 140, as previously described. This relationshipis further illustrated in FIG. 13.

It also is to be noted that the forward or outer end of shaft is formedwith a key projection 170 which fits into a slotted hub socket portion171 formed in the mounting hub portion of the crank arm 140. Projection170 further is provided with a central threaded opening 172 forconnection with the holding screw 141, for tying the crank to the shaft125 for simultaneous movements. Thus, it will be understood that partialrotational movement of the shaft 125 takes place directly with movementsof the crank arm 140, whereas movement of the actuator 134 about shaft125 and thus the relative movement between the projecting finger portion136 of the actuator 134 and the interfering lugs 132 and 133 of thefront gate 126, appears in timed sequence as determined by theperipheral contour of cam member 140. With this arrangement thereforethe desired sequential relative movement between the front and reargates 126 and 127 of the lower vend gate assembly is effected throughthe initial movement of the rear gate 127 to a discharge positionfollowed by the subsequent movement of the front gate to such positionto complete the delivery sequence.

Turning now to the specific features of the drive means or assembly 93,reference is made to FIGS. 14 through 17 of the drawings illustratingthe related mechanisms for actuating the several cams 110, 140 and 143.As shown best in FIG. 14, a drive motor unit 28, adapted to actuate themechanism hereinbefore described and illustrated in FIG. 8, comprises aunitary housing having parallel side walls 170, interjoined by a planartop wall 171 and a front wall 172. Motor unit 28 is adapted to beremovably interlocked with the horizontal front support wall structure45 of the cabinet support system and in particular is located beneath ahorizontal outwardly projecting flange portion 173 of such support wall45 (see FIGS. 14 and 17). More specifically, the two side walls 170, 170of the drive motor unit housing have extending hook portion 174 at theirlower ends, which interengage with suitable openings (not shown) formedin an upwardly extending, vertical frontal flange portion 175 (FIG. 15)of the support wall structure 45. A wing nut means 176 also is used toextend through the upper flange wall 173 for threaded connection with anopening therefor in the top wall 171 of the motor housing (see FIG. 14).

Mounted within the motor housing is the electric drive motor 155 havingan associated reduction gear CONTROL CIRCUIT. driving an output shaft180 having a drive gear 181 affixed thereto. A hold in switch 182 and asold out switch 183 with operating plunger 184 are mounted adjacent themotor unit 155 for operationally controlling the same in conjunctionwith the motor cam switch 152 operated by plunger 154 and the arm 153 aspreviously noted. The particulars of the control circuitry for the motor155 are set forth more fully in my copending application Ser. No.414,753 filed Nov. 12, 1973 now US. Pat. No. 3,848,718 and entitledVENDING MACHINE CIRCUIT. Briefly. however, the sold out switch 183controls energization and deenergization of the motor in response to thepresence and absence of articles in vend position within the magazine(see FIG. 17). The motor cam switches 152 control the periodic cyclingof the motor 155 in accordance with the engagement of actuator arm 153by one or both of the pins 150, 151 associated with cam means 143, aspreviously described.

The hold in switch 182 operatively provides a hold circuit anddeenergizes an appropriate selection switch available to the customer onarticle selection at the start of a vend cycle.

As will best be noted from FIG. 17, the sold out switch 183 is designedto be activated by a sold out lever 186 pivotally suspended on a shaft187 beneath the horizontal flange portion 173 of the support structure45. The lever 186 comprises an elongated finger portion 188 adapted tobe engaged by a cylindrical article, such as a can located in the frontportion of the magazine compartment on lower vend gate 126. A secondaryarm 189 of lever 186 is adapted to engage the plunger 184 of switchmeans 183. As long as cans are present in the vending column, plunger184 is depressed, preventing the sold out switch from deactivating thecontrol circuitry for the motor 155 associated therewith. On the otherhand, if there are no cans or articles present in the vending magazine.lever 186 swings into the forward end of the magazine, releasing theplunger 184 and permitting switch 183 to deactivate the vending motor,as described in my aforenoted copending application, Ser. No. 414,753,now US. Pat. No. 3,848,718.

In general, it may be noted that energization of the motor means 155takes place in response to the deposit of a predetermined coin value bya customer followed by the selection of an item to be vended from aparticular magazine through closing actuation of appropriate selectionswitch mechanism (not shown herein). Additionally, the presence orabsence of articles to be vended within a particular magazine associatedwith a particular motor unit 28 is a precondition of its energizationand operation of the vending mechanism 90 related thereto.

With specific reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 of the drawings, it will beappreciated that the drive means 93 therein illustrated includes theseveral cam means 110, I40, I43 and their associated followers, etc., aspreviously described. Such assembled items are suitably housed andsupported between the horizontal front support wall 45 of the cabinetsupport structure and the vertically extending flange portion 175related thereto. In addition, a compound idler gear 190 is mounted forrotation about stub shaft 191 fixed to the wall 45 and projectingforwardly thereof for engagement by the drive gear 181 rotatably drivenby the drive motor 155. The compound gear 190 has a major diameterportion 192 engaged with a spur gear portion 193 formed integrally withthe hub 194 of cam means 143; the same being supported on shaft means111 which extends between the back wall 45 and the flange portion 175therein shown. A smaller diameter secondary gear portion 195 of theidler gear 190 also engages a spur gear portion 196 formed integrallywith the compound cam members and for rotation with the latter on shaft111. Thus in response to rotational movement of the idler gear 190, thecam means 143, 140 and 110 are simultaneously rotated by the drive gearchain to operatively actuate the vending mechanism in the mannerpreviously set forth.

It will be understood that the individual motor drive units 28associated with each of the vending mechanisms embody the concept ofmodular unitization. As such, each unit 28 is intentionally made to bequickly removed or installed to facilitate maintenance and repair. Forexample, in the event there is a failure of a drive motor or any of theseveral switches associated therewith, the entire unit 28 may be readilyremoved from the machine and replaced with a new unit to minimizebreakdown time.

It also will be noted that the actuating lever or arm 153 associatedwith the motor cam switch assembly 152 is in a path of interferingengagement with the pins 150, 151 on the cam means 143. Thus in responseto rotational cycling of such cam means, the lever arm 153 isperiodically raised to depress the adjacent plunger 154 and operate camswitch 152 to deactivate the motor. As previously noted, if both pins150, 151 are in their extended position, that is, project forwardly ofcam means 143 to interfere with the lever arm 153, double column vendingof the vending mechanism 90 takes place. On the other hand, if one ofthe pins, for example 151, is depressed to a non-interfering positionwith actuator 153, then single column vending of the machine takesplace.

Having described the several elements and mechanisms which go to make upthe improved storage and dispensing means of this invention, referenceis now made to FIGS. 18 through 21 of the drawings for a betterunderstanding of the operational sequencing of the upper and lower vendgate means 91 and 92.

Turning now to FIGS. 18 through 21 of the drawings, the operationalsequencing of loading, escrow holding and discharging cylindricalarticles from the vending mechanism 90, will now be described inrelationship to the illustrations set forth therein.

In FIG. 18 one of the two alternate loading conditions is set forth,namely, that in which bar 56 of the upper vend gate assembly 91 is in alowered position permitting the passage of cylindrical article or cannumber 1 between the two vend gate bars 56 and 57. It is to be notedthat such passage travel of the cylindrical article 1 is limited by thepresence of the lower vend gate assembly 92 and, more particularly, thepositioning of the front and back vend gate 126 and 127 thereof in asubstantially horizontal raised condition. This interrupts the downwardmovement of can 1 and prevents following movement of can 2 past vendgate bar 57. Regarding the position of can 2 as illustrated in FIG. 18,it will be noted that the same is held in tangential engagement with theunderdisposed can 1 and the left hand vend gate bar 57.

FIG. 19 shows the second loading condition which corresponds to thatdiagrammed in FIG. 18, except that in this instance the left hand uppervend gate bar 57 is in a lowered position. Again, can number 2 in thisloading condition has tangential engagement with the can number I andthe uppermost vend gate bar (56 in this case) while the article number 1rests on the concave upper surface 157 of the lower vend gate assembly92.

In both conditions of loading illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, it will beunderstood that depending on the single or double column arrangement forthe magazine interior, as heretofore described, either a singlecylindrical item will pass between the vend gates 56 and 57 or a pairthereof in tandem relationship will so pass. In either event, however,it is to be noted that the following can, or cans, as the case may be,namely can number 2, is retained outwardly of the uppermost vend gatebar or rod 56 or 57, as the case may be, by the intermediate at restpositioning of the previously fed or dropped article or can number 1.

Following the feeding movement of the first can between the upper vendgate bars as above described and illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19,whichever one of the upper vend gate bars is in a lowered positon, i.e.condition of FIG. 18 or FIG. 19, the same next returns to its uppermostposition capturing the following article number 2 thereabove in themanner illustrated in FIG. 20. Substantially simultaneously and inproper timed sequence to the returning movement of the previouslylowered upper vend gate bar, the lower vend gate assembly 92 is loweredslightly to accommodate the diameter of the article number 1 thereuponas shown in FIG. 20. This is the normal loaded condition of the vendingmechanism at the initiation of a vending cycle, namely, wherein one ortwo cans rest on top of the lower vend gate assembly 92 in an escrowcondition, ready for discharge during the next vending cycle.

With respect to the movement of the upper vend gate bars 56 and 57during the infeed function as above noted, it is important to recognizethatthe movement of such bars 56 and 57 is arcuately outwardly of theescrow chamber provided between the upper and lower vend gateassemblies. Because of this geometrical relationship, there is little orno invasion of the designated space and capacity of the escrow chamber.

This feature accounts importantly to the ability of the vendingmechanism of this invention to accommodate a fairly substantial range ofarticle diameters, at the same time insuring that only one article at atime passes the upper vend gate systems when the machine is conditionedfor single column vending or two items simultaneously when the machineis conditioned for double column vending.

With reference now to FIG. 20, it will be assumed that the condition ofoperation illustrated is one wherein a single column vending conditionfor the magazine obtains. As such article number 1 is held in the escrowchamber while the following article is held outwardly of the upper vendgate bars 56 and 57 at the initiation of a vend cycle. Article selectionby the customer initiates operation of the motor unit 28 to cycle theseveral cams of the drive assembly 93, causing both of the lower vendgates 126 and 127 to assume the dotted line position as indicated inthat Figure. This releases a single item past the outer end of lowervend gates and a guide wall 200 as therein indicated, permitting article1 to gravitate downwardly into the discharge chute 29 for delivery tothe customer. While this release of item 1 from the escrow chamber isoccurring, the upper vend gate bars 56 and 57 remain in their uppermostclosed position as illustrated in FIG. 20, until return of the lowervend gate assembly to the FIG. 18 or 19 positions therefor. Thereafterrepeat of the feeding cycle occurs.

Considering FIG. 21 to illustrate the condition of double column vendingfor themagazine, it will therefrom be appreciated that upon initiationof the vend cycle in this operating condition, the rear lower vend gate127 is initially dropped to its discharge position, releasing article1A, formerly positioned thereon, but retaining article 1 on the upperside of the front lower vend gate 126 in an escrow condition awaitinginitiation of the next succeeding vend cycle. Thereafter item number 1is released from the front lower vend gate 126, positioning both of thelower vend gates 126 and 127 in their article discharge or releasecondition, as illustrated in FIG. 20, while still retaining the next setof articles (indicated at 2 in FIG. 21) outwardly or above the uppervend gate bars 56 and 57. The remaining part of the vending cycle, afterrelease of the item number 1 from the front lower vend gate 126, cyclesone or the other of the vend gate bars 56 or 57 downwardly to infeed apair of cylindrical articles onto the lower vend gate system in themanner illustrated in FIGS. 18 or 19.

From the foregoing description, it is believed that it will be readilyunderstood how the successive operation of the upper and lower vend gatesystems cooperate to release articles one by one for discharge to thecustomer. It further will be recognized that movement of the upper vendgate bars 56 and 57 arcuately outwardly of the escrow chamber betweenthe upper and lower vend gates, provides for minimum interference withthe space alloted for the escrowing of the articles and accommodation ofrange of article diameters as intended. Further, it is to be noted thatinterfering positioning with one of the upper vend gate bars with thefollowing cylindrical article during the infeed cycle, as shown in FIGS.18 and 19, in conjunction with the upper positioning of the lower vendgates 126 and 127, effectively prevents any overdisposed article fromfollowing into the escrow chamber or otherwise lodging between the uppervend gate bars during the infeed operation. An important feature of thereturning movement for the lowered upper vend gate bar to its uppermostposition at the end of the infeed operation, is the fact that the samemoves arcuately outwardly against the overdisposed cans or articles,thus further preventing such overdisposed articles from lodging betweenthe vend gate bars 56 and 57 to jam the mechanism. Consequently, thevending mechanism of this invention is fully capable of one hundredpercent discharge of the magazine columns without jamming contrary toprior mechanisms known in the art, such as that set out in U.S. Pat. No.3,203,588.

While the present invention has hereinabove been described inassociation with a particular preferred embodiment thereof illustratedin the accompanying drawings, it is to be recognized that the same issusceptible to variation, change and substitution of equivalents withoutnecessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention ashereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In an automatic vending machine for dispensing cylindrical articles,such as canned and bottled commodities, storage and dispensing meanscomprising: at least one vertical magazine means for storing articleswithin an open bottom compartment enclosed by parallel side walls, suchcompartment being openly accessible at frontal margins of said sidewalls for loading articles therein; means for dividing the interior ofsaid compartment into vertical columns of selected front to backdimension, at least one of which columns is receptive of a serpentinestack of articles to be dispensed; article dispensing means blocking theopen bottom of said compartment and comprising an upper vend gateassembly having a pair of horizontal rod means paralleling said sidewalls for undere ngaging the lowermost article of a said stackthereover, means mounting each said rod means for oscillating movementalong an arcuate path toward and away from the other thereof. separationof said rod means permitting passage of articles therebetween; a lowervend gate assembly mounted in parallel spaced relation to and beneathsaid upper assembly, with the space therebetween defining an articleescrow chamber; said lower assembly comprising pivotal gate meansmovable about a horizontal axis toward and away from said rod means anda central vertical axis of said chamber and sequentially to and betweena fully raised article receiving position, a substantially horizontalarticle holding position and a lowered discharge position; means forperiodically oscillating each said rod means about the upper end of andnoninterferingly with the interior of said chamber, means forperiodically moving said gate means from said article receiving positionto said article holding position when either one of said rod means movesthrough its oscillating cycle; said gate means and the moving said rodmeans cooperating to undersupport and positively guide and controlmovement of each lowermost article between said rod means and into saidchamber for retention by said gate means at said holding position, andmeans for subsequently lowering said gate means to release articles fromsaid chamber.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the raised positioning of saidgate means and its movement to said article holding position dictatesthe passage of a single article between said rod means and into saidchamber for each separating cycle of the latter.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said rod means comprises a pair ofcylindrical rod members, each coupled to pivotal crank arms actuated byfirst rotatably driven cam means and operable to alternately oscillateeach rod member about a horizontal axis arcuately about the upper end ofsaid escrow chamber.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means dividing saidcompartment into vertical columns comprises a pair of divider plates andadjustably positioned guide means whereby said compartment is divisibleinto at least two columns, each for accommodating a serpentine stack ofarticles, and said lower gate assembly comprises a pair of gate means,one opposite the lower end of each of said columns and cooperable withsaid rod means for dispensing articles from said stack thereover one ata time.

5. The combination of claims 4 and drive means selectively conditionedto effect lowering of one of said gate means for each operating cyclethereof.

6. In an automatic vending machine for dispensing cylindrical articles,storage and dispensing means comprising: at least one magazine means forstoring articles in an open bottom compartment having parallel sidewalls, such compartment being openly accessible between frontal marginsof said walls for loading articles therein; vertical guide means andcooperating divider means adjustably mounted on and extendingtransversely between said side walls for dividing said compartment intovertical columns of selected front to back dimension, at least one ofwhich columns is available for stacking articles to be dispensed;article dispensingmeans blocking the open bottom of said compartment andcomprising an upper vend gate assembly having a pair of horizontallyextending rod means paralleling said side walls and spaced therefrom andfrom one another less than the smallest diameter of an article to bedispensed, means for alternately and periodically oscillating each saidrod means arcuately toward and away from the other thereof to effectpassage of articles therebetween, the limit of separating movementbetween said rod means determining the largest diameter of articlesmovable therebetween; a lower vend gate assembly mounted horizontallybeneath said upper assembly, defining an article escrow chambertherewith and comprising pivotal gate means movable about a horizontalaxis, arcuately toward and away from said rod means and a centralvertical plane of said chamber, between raised, intermediate and loweredpositions; and drive means sequentially operating said upper and lowergate assemblies, comprising means to move said gate means from saidraised to said intermediate positions thereof while one of said rodmeans moves through its cycle of oscillating movement, the raisedpositioning of said gate means causing each article to be engaged andsupported thereby as it enters said chamber for controlled movementtherewith to said intermediate position whereby to insure the deposit ofa single article in said chamber for each separating cycle of said rodmeans, and means operable subsequentially to move said gate means tosaid lowered position thereby to gravitationally discharge articles fromsaid chamber.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said guide and divider means arepositionable to provide two columns, each receptive of articles to bedispensed, and said lower vend gate assembly comprises a pair of gatemembers, one opposite the lower end of each said column with each beingreceptive of an article from its respective column at each separatingcycle of said rod means.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said lower vend gate assemblycomprises a pair of individual gate means, a horizontal shaft supportingsaid gate means, and lost motion connection means between said shaft andeach of said gate means whereby said gate means move with and relativeto said shaft; and said drive means includes means for periodicallypartially rotating said shaft to drive said gate means therewith andadditional means for periodically preventing movement of one of saidgate means with said shaft to thereby effect relative movement betweensaid gate means.

9. The combination of claim 7, wherein each of said gate means islowered independently of the other to thereby discharge the articlesthereon, one-by-one.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said drive means comprises a coincontrolled motor, cam means driven thereby for sequentially driving saidupper and lower vend gate assemblies, and means for selectivelydeactivating said motor when the first of said gate means is in itslowered discharge position whereby to preclude the discharge of morethan one article for each coin controlled vending cycle.

11. In an automatic coin controlled vending machine for dispensingcanned or bottled articles from vertical open bottom magazines in whicharticles are stored in serpentine stacks, improved dispensing meanscomprising: an upper vend gate assembly mounted in blocking positionover the open bottom of said magazine and comprising a pair ofhorizontal rod means positioned to underengage the bottommost article ofa stack thereover, a lower vend gate assembly mounted horizontallybeneath said upper assembly to define an article receiving escrowchamber therebetween, means effecting alternate periodic oscillatingmovement of each said rod means relative to the other along a path aboutthe upper end of said chamber and non-interferingly with the interiorthereof such that the resulting separation of said rod means permits thepassage of a said bottommost article therebetween for entry into saidchamber; said lower assembly comprising gate means pivotal about ahorizontal axis for movement toward and away from said rod means andsequentially to and between a raised position adjacent said rod meanswhereat the same underengages and supports said bottommost article as itenters said chamber, an intermediate position to which it carries and atwhich the same holds said article in said chamber, and a loweredposition whereat articles thereon are released from said chamber; andmeans sequentially operating said rod and gate means to effect movementof said gate means from said raised to said intermediate position foreach cycle of oscillating movement of said rod means and subsequentmovement thereof to said lowered position.

12. The invention of claim 11, and means dividing said magazine intoplural columns of selected front to back dimension, each receptive of astack of articles, whereby the bottommost articles of the plural stacksare deposited in said chamber in response to each separation of said rodmeans, and wherein said gate means comprises individual gate membersbeneath each said column, and means effecting individual movementthereof to said lowered position thereby to discharge articlesone-by-one from said chamber for each vending cycle.

1. In an automatic vending machine for dispensing cylindrical articles,such as canned and bottled commodities, storage and dispensing meanscomprising: at least one vertical magazine means for storing articleswithin an open bottom compartment enclosed by parallel side walls, suchcompartment being openly accessible at frontal margins of said sidewalls for loading articles therein; means for dividing the interior ofsaid compartment into vertical columns of selected front to backdimension, at least one of which columns is receptive of a serpentinestack of articles to be dispensed; article dispensing means blocking theopen bottom of said compartment and comprising an upper vend gateassembly having a pair of horizontal rod means paralleling said sidewalls for underengaging the lowermost article of a said stack thereover,means mounting each said rod means for oscillating movement along anarcuate path toward and away from the other thereof, separation of saidrod means permitting passage of articles therebetween; a lower vend gateassembly mounted in parallel spaced relation to and beneath said upperassembly, with the space therebetween defining an article escrowchamber; said lower assembly comprising pivotal gate means movable abouta horizontal axis toward and away from said rod means and a centralvertical axis of said chamber and sequentially to and between a fullyraised article receiving position, a substantially horizontal articleholding position and a lowered discharge position; means forperiodically oscillating each said rod means about the upper end of andnon-interferingly with the interior of said chamber, means forperiodically moving said gate means from said article receiving positionto said article holding position when either one of said rod means movesthrough its oscillating cycle; said gate means and the moving said rodmeans cooperating to undersupport and positively guide and controlmovement of each lowermost article between said rod means and into saidchamber for retention by said gate means at said holding position, andmeans for subsequently lowering said gate means to release articles fromsaid chamber.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the raisedpositioning of said gate means and its movement to said article holdingposition dictates the passage of a single article between said rod meansand into said chamber for each separating cycle of the latter.
 3. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said rod means comprises a pair ofcylindrical rod members, each coupled to pivotal crank arms actuated byfirst rotatably driven cam means and operable to alternately oscillateeach rod member about a horizontal axis arcuately about the upper end ofsaid escrow chamber.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said meansdividing said compartment into vertical columns comprises a pair ofdivider plates and adjustably positioned guide means whereby saidcompartment is divisible into at least two columns, each foraccommodating a serpentine stack of articles, and said lower gateassembly comprises a pair of gate means, one opposite the lower end ofeach of said columns and cooperable with said rod means for dispensingarticles from said stack thereover one at a time.
 5. The combination ofclaims 4 and drive means selectively conditioned to effect lowering ofone of said gate means for each operating cycle thereof.
 6. In anautomatic vending machine for dispensing cylindrical articles, storageand dispensing means comprising: at least one magazine means for storingarticles in an open bottom compartment having parallel side walls, suchcompartment being openly accessible between frontal margins of saidwalls for loading articles therein; vertical guide means and cooperatingdivider means adjustably mounted on and extending transversely betweeNsaid side walls for dividing said compartment into vertical columns ofselected front to back dimension, at least one of which columns isavailable for stacking articles to be dispensed; article dispensingmeans blocking the open bottom of said compartment and comprising anupper vend gate assembly having a pair of horizontally extending rodmeans paralleling said side walls and spaced therefrom and from oneanother less than the smallest diameter of an article to be dispensed,means for alternately and periodically oscillating each said rod meansarcuately toward and away from the other thereof to effect passage ofarticles therebetween, the limit of separating movement between said rodmeans determining the largest diameter of articles movable therebetween;a lower vend gate assembly mounted horizontally beneath said upperassembly, defining an article escrow chamber therewith and comprisingpivotal gate means movable about a horizontal axis, arcuately toward andaway from said rod means and a central vertical plane of said chamber,between raised, intermediate and lowered positions; and drive meanssequentially operating said upper and lower gate assemblies, comprisingmeans to move said gate means from said raised to said intermediatepositions thereof while one of said rod means moves through its cycle ofoscillating movement, the raised positioning of said gate means causingeach article to be engaged and supported thereby as it enters saidchamber for controlled movement therewith to said intermediate positionwhereby to insure the deposit of a single article in said chamber foreach separating cycle of said rod means, and means operablesubsequentially to move said gate means to said lowered position therebyto gravitationally discharge articles from said chamber.
 7. Thecombination of claim 6 wherein said guide and divider means arepositionable to provide two columns, each receptive of articles to bedispensed, and said lower vend gate assembly comprises a pair of gatemembers, one opposite the lower end of each said column with each beingreceptive of an article from its respective column at each separatingcycle of said rod means.
 8. The combination of claim 6 wherein saidlower vend gate assembly comprises a pair of individual gate means, ahorizontal shaft supporting said gate means, and lost motion connectionmeans between said shaft and each of said gate means whereby said gatemeans move with and relative to said shaft; and said drive meansincludes means for periodically partially rotating said shaft to drivesaid gate means therewith and additional means for periodicallypreventing movement of one of said gate means with said shaft to therebyeffect relative movement between said gate means.
 9. The combination ofclaim 7, wherein each of said gate means is lowered independently of theother to thereby discharge the articles thereon, one-by-one.
 10. Thecombination of claim 9 wherein said drive means comprises a coincontrolled motor, cam means driven thereby for sequentially driving saidupper and lower vend gate assemblies, and means for selectivelydeactivating said motor when the first of said gate means is in itslowered discharge position whereby to preclude the discharge of morethan one article for each coin controlled vending cycle.
 11. In anautomatic coin controlled vending machine for dispensing canned orbottled articles from vertical open bottom magazines in which articlesare stored in serpentine stacks, improved dispensing means comprising:an upper vend gate assembly mounted in blocking position over the openbottom of said magazine and comprising a pair of horizontal rod meanspositioned to underengage the bottommost article of a stack thereover, alower vend gate assembly mounted horizontally beneath said upperassembly to define an article receiving escrow chamber therebetween,means effecting alternate periodic oscillating movement of each said rodmeans relative to the other along a path about the upper end of sAidchamber and non-interferingly with the interior thereof such that theresulting separation of said rod means permits the passage of a saidbottommost article therebetween for entry into said chamber; said lowerassembly comprising gate means pivotal about a horizontal axis formovement toward and away from said rod means and sequentially to andbetween a raised position adjacent said rod means whereat the sameunderengages and supports said bottommost article as it enters saidchamber, an intermediate position to which it carries and at which thesame holds said article in said chamber, and a lowered position whereatarticles thereon are released from said chamber; and means sequentiallyoperating said rod and gate means to effect movement of said gate meansfrom said raised to said intermediate position for each cycle ofoscillating movement of said rod means and subsequent movement thereofto said lowered position.
 12. The invention of claim 11, and meansdividing said magazine into plural columns of selected front to backdimension, each receptive of a stack of articles, whereby the bottommostarticles of the plural stacks are deposited in said chamber in responseto each separation of said rod means, and wherein said gate meanscomprises individual gate members beneath each said column, and meanseffecting individual movement thereof to said lowered position therebyto discharge articles one-by-one from said chamber for each vendingcycle.